WO2014055486A1 - Système et procédé permettant un support de points d'extrémité unidirectionnels dans des réseaux sans fil bidirectionnels - Google Patents

Système et procédé permettant un support de points d'extrémité unidirectionnels dans des réseaux sans fil bidirectionnels Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014055486A1
WO2014055486A1 PCT/US2013/062819 US2013062819W WO2014055486A1 WO 2014055486 A1 WO2014055486 A1 WO 2014055486A1 US 2013062819 W US2013062819 W US 2013062819W WO 2014055486 A1 WO2014055486 A1 WO 2014055486A1
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Prior art keywords
endpoint
way
endpoints
data
proxy
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PCT/US2013/062819
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English (en)
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Roger K. Alexander
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Cooper Technologies Company
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Publication of WO2014055486A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014055486A1/fr

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D4/00—Tariff metering apparatus
    • G01D4/002—Remote reading of utility meters
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00—Network topologies
    • H04W84/18—Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02B90/20—Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
    • Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
    • Y04S20/00—Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
    • Y04S20/30—Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Definitions

  • the invention relates generally to automated sensor data collection systems, such as utility meter reading systems or other systems in which data is collected from a large plurality of geographically distributed endpoints to a central collection point and, more particularly, to facilitating the deployment and operation of transmit-only endpoints in systems that preferentially utilize command and control functionality for advanced two-way endpoints.
  • AMR Automatic meter reading
  • utility meters e.g., water or energy metering devices such as gas or electric
  • AMI Advanced Metering Infrastructure
  • RF data collection systems utilizing using licensed or un-licensed bands in the RF spectrum remains widely used for its effectiveness, ease of installation, reliability, relatively low cost, and independence from third-party networks.
  • the utility meters in an AMR system are either interfaced with, or incorporate, an endpoint that obtains the meter's data, stores the data temporarily, and transmits the data to a reader.
  • the simplest endpoints are transmit-only devices known as 1-way endpoints. These endpoints operate in a "bubble-up" regime in which their transmitters periodically wake up from a low-power sleep mode, transmit stored data, and return to their sleep mode.
  • Typical bubble-up cycles are on the order of 15 seconds for AMR systems using vehicle-mounted readers, which is a time sufficiently short for each endpoint to remain within communication range of a moving reader. For hand-carried readers and fixed systems, the bubble-up cycle can be quite different.
  • the 1.5-way endpoint has a basic radio receiver circuit that is able to detect a specific signal called a wake-up tone.
  • wake-up tones can be analog signals having a particular modulating tone; but can also be digital signals having a repeating pattern or predefined code.
  • the 1.5-way endpoint instead of bubbling up and transmitting its data according to a recurring time schedule like a basic one-way device, the 1.5-way endpoint periodically activates its receiver momentarily to listen for a presence of a wake -up tone. If the wake -up tone is detected, the 1.5- way endpoint activates its transmitter circuit and sends its data. This mode of operation reduces collection system bandwidth requirements and saves energy in battery-powered endpoints because endpoints transmit only when a reader is within communication range.
  • 1.5-way devices The use of several distinct wake -up tones has been proposed for use as a limited set of predefined commands to 1.5-way devices. For instance one wake-up tone can be used to request the transmission of interval data, whereas another wakeup tone can be used to request transmission of a single reading. In some cases the wake -up signal may be addressed to an individual endpoint or to the endpoint's assigned group address. Still, 1.5-way endpoints lack the capability to initiate communications, and respond to, a complex instruction set (such as one that includes opcodes and variable operands, or re-configuration instructions). Thus, 1.5-way devices are regarded as primarily transmit-only endpoints.
  • More advanced endpoints known as two-way devices have a radio receiver in addition to a transmitter.
  • the receiver allows the two-way endpoint to initiate communications connections as well as receive commands via the AMR system. This, in turn, enables AMR system operators to individually address specific two-way endpoints to request certain data, re-configure the two- way endpoint's operating modes, receive software or firmware updates, and the like.
  • Two-way endpoints can also be used to send more advanced data, such as interval data for multiple sampling intervals, which requires longer message transmissions, or messages spanning multiple different transmissions. Since two-way communications allow the reader to request messages from endpoints, meter data as well as status information can be queried and provided in near- real-time.
  • the request for data can specify the particular data to be sent by the two-way endpoint, e.g., interval data at 15-minute intervals over the last 36 hours. This avoids having to collect this data over multiple separate transmissions (which places additional overhead requirements on the AMR system's bandwidth), storing large sets of duplicate or overlapping data for each endpoint for future data analysis needs, and having to deal with duplication- reconciliation of repeated messages.
  • AMR system operators are migrating their systems toward more advanced AMI systems using a fixed AMR infrastructure and self-organizing, autonomously-adapting two- way endpoints.
  • Such systems use multi-hop communications in which endpoints act as originators of data, as well as routing devices that relay messages originated by other endpoints towards their destination.
  • endpoints act as originators of data, as well as routing devices that relay messages originated by other endpoints towards their destination.
  • routing devices that relay messages originated by other endpoints towards their destination.
  • devices there is no pre-configuration of associations between endpoints; thus, devices must coordinate amongst themselves to form communication paths for the messages.
  • a proxy service-enabled endpoint facilitates interoperability with the data collection system for the benefit of endpoints that are otherwise incompatible with the data communication protocol.
  • the proxy service-enabled endpoint includes a remote endpoint interface module configured to receive communications from at least one of the incompatible endpoints, the communications containing incompatible endpoint sensor data.
  • the endpoint includes a remote endpoint virtualization module that is operatively coupled to the remote endpoint interface module and associated with the at least one of the incompatible endpoints.
  • the remote endpoint virtualization module is uniquely addressable according to a corresponding virtual endpoint address, and configured to store the incompatible endpoint sensor data and to communicate that data to the central data collection point via the data communication protocol.
  • Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method for operating an automatic meter reading (AMR) system containing 2-way endpoints, 1.5-way endpoints, and 1-way endpoints.
  • AMR automatic meter reading
  • Data from individual endpoints is collected at a central data collection point via the AMR system using a 2-way wireless communications protocol.
  • the 1-way endpoints are incompatible with the 2-way wireless communication protocol.
  • a plurality of 2-way endpoints monitor a communication band used by the 1-way endpoints to detect any 1-way endpoints within communication range of each one of the plurality of 2-way endpoints.
  • Each of the plurality of 2-way endpoints reports any detected 1-way endpoints within its communication range.
  • An arbiter device collects reports of detected 1-way endpoints from the plurality of 2-way endpoints, and sends proxy assignments to selected proxy-assignee endpoints. For each of the reported 1-way endpoints at least one proxy- assignee endpoint is assigned to perform a proxy service. According to the proxy service, data transmitted by corresponding 1 -way endpoints to which the proxy-assignee endpoints are assigned is received and stored. At least a portion of the data transmitted by the corresponding 1-way endpoint is transmitted via the 2-way wireless communication protocol for reception by the central data collection point.
  • a remote endpoint virtualization module is operatively coupled with the remote endpoint interface module, and configured to store, via the hardware circuitry, sensor data received in the 1-way transmissions for a first assigned 1-way endpoint; and transmit, via the hardware circuitry and the wireless network, a sensor data report based on the sensor data for the first assigned 1- way endpoint.
  • the sensor data report is transmitted via a 2-way communications protocol.
  • FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary part of an AMR system according to one embodiment in which a combination of 1-way and 2-way endpoints are deployed.
  • FIGs. 2 A and 2B are a block diagrams illustrating exemplary endpoints according to various types of embodiments
  • FIG. 7A represents a process of handling communications received from 1-way endpoints according to one embodiment.
  • FIG. 8 is a timing diagram illustrating an exemplary process of intermittently monitoring the communications band to discover 1-way endpoints according to one embodiment.
  • a sensor data collection system in the present context refers to any system that includes a spatially distributed set of communication devices for transmitting sensor data originated by a large plurality of spatially distributed sensors.
  • Each of the spatially-distributed sensors is associated with an endpoint that facilitates communication of information from the sensor.
  • the sensors themselves may be integrated with the endpoints as unitary multifunctional devices.
  • endpoints are independent devices that, in operation, are suitably interfaced with their respective sensors to obtain sensor readings produced by the sensor devices.
  • both types of arrangements of endpoints are referred to herein as endpoint devices or, simply, endpoints.
  • 1.5 -way endpoint refers to a primarily transmit-only device that has a receiver and, while able to listen for, and respond to, a simple prompting signal known as a wakeup tone (or a set of wakeup tones) that prompt the 1.5-way endpoint to take a certain action (from a relatively limited set of actions) such as transmitting its data, going into a low-power sleep mode, etc., and otherwise lacks the ability to receive command packets in a 2-way communication protocol and respond to instructions from those command packets such as instructions having variable operands, or reconfiguration instructions.
  • a wakeup tone or a set of wakeup tones
  • the central data collection point is a point where a large plurality of endpoints send their data to be consumed. Consumption of collected data in this context refers to use of the data for any of a variety of purposes, including one or more of such activities as processing of the data for billing purposes, system status determination and analysis, system performance optimization, issuing control signals or commands in response to the received data, etc.
  • a central collection point is oftentimes referred to as a head end system (HES).
  • HES head end system
  • the central data collection point need not actually be at the top of a hierarchy of nodes in the sensor data collection system. Principles of the invention can apply to even an intermediate device that collects and consumes data from a plurality of endpoints that comprise a subset of the data collection system.
  • FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary part of an AMR system 100 according to one embodiment in which a combination of 1-way and 2-way endpoints are deployed.
  • system head end 102 communicates with segments, or subnets, of endpoints 104a and 104b (collectively referred to as subnets 104).
  • Each subnet 104 contains a gateway device 106, a plurality of 2-way endpoints 108, and one or more types of 1- way devices depicted as 110a and 110b, and collectively referred to as 1-way endpoints 110.
  • Each gateway device 106 communicates with the head end 102 via communication link 112, which can be a WAN interface, wired, or wireless. Gateway devices 106 interface the local communications within a subnet 104 to translate communications from the intra-subnet protocol to the protocol used for the WAN interface, and vice-versa.
  • FIGs. 2 A and 2B are block diagrams illustrating exemplary endpoints 200a and 200b according to various types of embodiments.
  • Endpoint 200a is a compound endpoint (such as a smart meter, for example), that includes a sensor 202 that is configured to measure an event, state, natural phenomenon, etc., indicated at 201.
  • event 201 represents energy or water utilization, for instance.
  • Data from sensor 202 is provided to endpoint circuitry 204 via interface circuit 206a that interfaces with the sensor electrically.
  • Interfaces 206a and 206b obtain sensor data from sensor 202 via sampling of the sensor output. The sampling can take place in response to the occurrence of certain sensed events, or according to a pre-established interval schedule.
  • Sensor data is passed to processor 208, which can store certain samples in data store 210.
  • Processor 208 also controls the reporting of certain sensor data measurements and other information to the AMR system.
  • Radio communications circuit 212 conducts communication over a wireless medium 214, including sending consumption readings, interval data reports, sensor status events, or the like, to be delivered to the system head end.
  • radio communications circuit 212 includes a receiver that receives instructions, control signaling, or configuration information from the head end or from other devices such as gateway devices.
  • the two-way endpoints 108 communicate bi-directionally with one another and with the gateway device 106 via local communications 114, which may be carried out over an unlicensed wireless RF band using a spread spectrum technique such as frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS).
  • Communications 114 include packetized communications to and from two-way endpoints.
  • two-way endpoints 108 utilize multi-hop communications in which the devices are capable of routing packets originated from other endpoints toward their destination.
  • packets communicated in such systems can include an identifier of the addressee, i.e., the intended recipient node and, in some embodiments, routing information that can include complete path information.
  • Communications protocols can, in some instances, include features for ensuring reliability of communications, such as the use of acknowledgement frames sent by receiving devices signifying successful receipt of preceding frame from a sender device.
  • Communications 116 include transmissions from 1-way devices. These transmissions are generally broadcast and not addressed to a particular destination because they are designed to be a point-to-point transmission to an AMR system reader within radio transmission range. It is presumed that either no other receiver is in the vicinity, that no other receiver is interested in the transmission, or that, if multiple AMR system readers receive transmissions from the same endpoint with the same information, that the head end can identify and reconcile the duplicative data. For 1.5-way devices, communications 1 16 can include wakeup tones. Since 1-way endpoints are not designed for duplex communications, there is no provision for ensuring reliability. Instead, 1-way endpoints transmit their data frequently to increase the probability that a each message is received.
  • the 1-way devices 110 are read via a 2-way AMR system that treats the 1-way devices as if they were 2-way devices.
  • the system head end 102 can request data from any specific device, regardless of whether that device is a true 2-way endpoint, or a 1-way endpoint.
  • the system head end 102 can transmit configuration update instructions to endpoints to configure data intervals, reporting format, reporting frequency, etc., and, in response, the data that the head end 102 receives from each 1-way endpoint is updated according to the configuration update instructions.
  • the 1-way endpoints 110 appear to operate as 2-way endpoints, the 1-way endpoints are not actually modified in any way. Instead, the 1-way endpoints are virtualized as 2-way devices with the help of actual 2-way endpoints located in their vicinity.
  • FIG. IB illustrates a modified AMR system 100' that is identical to AMR system 100 of FIG. 1A, except that the 1-way endpoints 110 are seen by head end 102 as virtual 2-way endpoints 110* in subnets 104a' and 104b' which apparently have only 2-way devices, each of which is individually addressable.
  • each of virtual 2-way devices 110* is recognized by the local mesh network as being reachable through the 2-way endpoint 108 that is assigned to be the proxy.
  • the proxy device receives a packet addressed to the virtual 2-way device 110*, instead of forwarding the packet in usual routing fashion, the proxy device instead performs its proxy operations.
  • actual 1-way devices 110 have a limited communication range, and only certain ones of the 2-way devices 108 can hear certain 1-way devices 110. It is also possible for more than one 2-way endpoint to be able to hear the same 1-way endpoint's transmissions. Accordingly, in a related aspect of the invention, an arbitration process is provided in which a local portion of the AMR system 100, such as a subnet, can automatically select the best 2-way endpoint 108 from among multiple 2-way endpoints 108 which can be potential proxies for a given 1-way endpoint 110, to serve as the assigned proxy.
  • a local portion of the AMR system 100 such as a subnet
  • a distributed process of proxy-client arbitration is carried out with the help of local arbiter devices such as gateway devices 106.
  • gateway device 106 is passed performance measures of taken by 2-way endpoint devices 108 that are prospective proxy devices for 1-way endpoints.
  • Performance measures can include a link quality metric such as radio signal strength or the quantity of correctly-received messages from a given 1-way endpoint over a certain period of time.
  • the criteria for what constitutes a correctly-received message can be based on whether error detection/error correction codes, if any, indicate reception of an error-free message; whether a received message has a proper packet format; or, simply, whether there is a discernable message indicative of the 1-way endpoint that transmitted it.
  • the proxy-client arbitration process is dynamic in nature; meaning that changes in link quality can be autonomously responded to by re-arbitrating proxy assignments so that the best proxy device is preferentially selected under the current circumstances.
  • prospective proxy devices that are not assigned to particular 1-way endpoints within communication range still operate in a discovery mode to listen for 1-way device transmissions, and collect relevant link quality data to be compared against similar link quality data gathered by other prospective (or assigned) proxy devices.
  • each prospective and assigned proxy device reports the 1 -way endpoints and their respective link quality measures to a local master device, such as gateway 106.
  • Gateway 106 thus obtains knowledge of all of the 1-way devices to be supported within the local neighborhood, or subnet, along with information on the prospective 2-way endpoints that could act as proxy devices for each of the various 1-way endpoints. With this information, gateway 106 determines the best proxy device for each of the 1-way endpoints, and instructs that device to handle the proxy operations.
  • the proxy device assignment is continuously or periodically re-evaluated according to various embodiments to be able to respond dynamically to situational changes, if any, affecting the best proxy determination.
  • the operational burden of supporting proxy services for the benefit of multiple 1-way endpoints is taken into account in assigning the proxy responsibility to a given 2-way endpoint.
  • This consideration can limit the number of 1-way endpoints that a particular 2-way endpoint can support with its proxy service, and this limitation can be done selectively taking further into account the link quality (and operational burden) of the next-best 2-way endpoint that is a prospective proxy device for one or more of the same 1- way endpoints.
  • the routing location of a potential proxy device is taken into account in arbitrating the proxy assignment.
  • the potential proxy with the shorter communication path (and thus lower communication latency) can be preferentially selected to be the assigned proxy.
  • a potential proxy device having a superior routing position is also more likely to be performing routing activity for other 2-way devices, which tends to increase its operational burden, and cause that potential proxy device to be less preferable.
  • a weighting and scoring decision algorithm may be employed in one type of embodiment where each of the factors is given a particular weight corresponding to that factor's relative importance, and a numerical assessment is performed to determine an optimal proxy assignment.
  • the proxy assignment arbitration process deliberately introduces redundancy in cases where there is no high-quality link available with any potential proxy device, or where the available high-quality-link proxy device is too busy to handle proxy operations.
  • multiple proxies are assigned to a common 1-way endpoint.
  • the reconciliation process can be administered by the proxy devices as amongst themselves; e.g., two proxies can exchange messages indicating reception of a data packet from the supported 1-way endpoint, and coordinate forwarding of the data to the system head end such that only one of the proxy devices sends the message.
  • the local gateway device identifies and removes duplicate data.
  • the duplication can be addressed by the system head end in a manner similar to the one employed in AMR systems designed for such redundancy.
  • the 1-way devices 110 can be of different types, i.e., from various different manufacturers, utilizing different message formats or protocols, data encoding, message transmission rate, etc., even though they may operate in the same RF band. Also, for 1.5-way endpoints in particular, different types of endpoints may be configured to respond to different wakeup tones.
  • 2-way endpoints 108 that are configured to act as 2-way proxies for 1-way endpoints 110 also include universal interfacing functionality in which various known messaging formats can be recognized so that the 1-way endpoint data contained in those messages can be extracted.
  • 2-way endpoints that act as proxy devices include support for different types of 1.5-way endpoints in that multiple different wakeup tones can be used to prompt various known types of 1.5-way endpoints.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary architecture of a 2-way endpoint that includes proxy service capability for virtualizing 2-way operability of 1-way endpoints according to certain embodiments of the invention.
  • This exemplary architecture includes several operational modules.
  • the term "module” as used herein means a real-world arrangement of components implemented using hardware, such as by an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field-programmable gate array (FPGA), for example, or as a combination of hardware and software, such as by a microprocessor system and a set of instructions to implement the module's functionality, which (while being executed) transform the microprocessor system into a special-purpose device.
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • FPGA field-programmable gate array
  • a module can also be implemented as a combination of the two, with certain functions facilitated by hardware alone, and other functions facilitated by a combination of hardware and software.
  • at least a portion, and in some cases, all, of a module can be executed on the processor(s) of one or more general purpose computers (such as the one described in greater detail below) that execute an operating system, system programs, and application programs, while also implementing the module using multitasking, multithreading, distributed (e.g., cloud) processing, or other such techniques.
  • each module can be realized in a variety of suitable configurations, and should not be limited to any particular implementation exemplified herein.
  • processor 208 is a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, or other such circuit, configured by program logic to implement local endpoint module 302, remote endpoint virtualization module 306, remote endpoint interface module 310, and communication interface module 314. These modules do not necessarily constitute the entire functionality of processor 208. Indeed, processor 208, in various embodiments, will include a set of other modules, such as networking functionality, power management, tamper detection, and the like. The modules illustrated in FIG. 3 instead represent the essential and additional relevant functionality and algorithmic structures for instituting the advanced 2-way endpoint plus proxy device operability according to one type of embodiment.
  • Local endpoint module 302 is interfaced with local sensor interface 206, which obtains the sensor data (e.g., utility consumption readings) and converts it to a digital form to be handled by local endpoint module 302.
  • sensor data e.g., utility consumption readings
  • Local endpoint module 302 is assigned an address or endpoint ID 303 for the local 2-way endpoint, and stores the sensor data as local endpoint data set 304 associated with the address or device ID in data store 210.
  • Local endpoint module 302 also receives and processes commands and system configuration updates from hierarchically superior devices of the AMR system (such as the system head end and gateway devices, for example), and generates reports to be transmitted to the AMR system head end via communication interface module 314, and communications circuitry 212.
  • Clock module 316 represents a real-time clock that keeps track of the time and date for accurately recording measurements and for conducting communications and other time-specific or time-synchronized activities.
  • local endpoint module 302, local sensor interface 206, and endpoint data set 304 is essentially conventional operation of corresponding functionality in traditional 2-way endpoints.
  • Remote endpoint virtualization module 306 is similar to local endpoint module 302, except that remote endpoint virtualization module 306 is not associated with local sensor 202 and local endpoint ID 303. Instead, remote endpoint virtualization module 306 is associated with one or more remote 1-way endpoints that are clients of the proxy service which virtualizes the 1-way or 1.5 -way endpoints into virtual 2-way endpoints.
  • Remote endpoint virtualization module 306 interfaces with the remote 1-way or 1.5 -way endpoints that are its proxy clients via remote endpoint interface module 310.
  • each instance of remote endpoint virtualization module 306 can have its own distinct configuration settings.
  • Remote endpoint virtualization module 306 also receives and processes commands and system configuration updates from hierarchically superior devices of the AMR system (such as the system head end and gateway devices, for example), and generates reports to be transmitted to the AMR system head end via communication interface module 314, and communications circuitry 212.
  • Remote endpoint interface module 310 is configured to monitor the communication band to detect the presence of potential 1-way endpoints that could be supported by the proxy service, participate in the proxy assignment arbitration process in which the subnet determines a most suitable proxy device for each 1-each endpoint, identify received communications from assigned 1-way endpoints and forward those communications to remote endpoint virtualization module 306, and, for 1.5-way endpoint client devices, transmit a suitable wakeup tone to prompt those devices to transmit their data.
  • Remote endpoint interface module 310 maintains a listing 312 of 1-way endpoints, which can include such relevant information as observed bubble-up schedule of the 1-way endpoints, link quality indicators based on past communications with individual 1- way endpoints, wakeup tone parameters for supported 1.5-way endpoints, etc.
  • listing 312 can include information relating to non-assigned 1-way endpoints from which communications are being received. This information can be used for the proxy assignment arbitration process.
  • Certain incoming messages are addressed to the local 2-way endpoint, others may be addressed to a specific virtual 2-way endpoint, still others may be addressed to a distinct two-way endpoint or other AMR system component (e.g., gateway, head end, etc.) and meant to be routed to its final destination.
  • AMR system component e.g., gateway, head end, etc.
  • For those messages to be consumed at the 2-way endpoint some may be instructions requesting the local endpoint or a virtual endpoint to take some action; whereas other messages can contain instructions relating to the proxy operations, such as instructions from a gateway device indicating proxy service assignment.
  • communication interface module 314 interprets and identifies the various messages received, and takes appropriate action.
  • Communication interface module 314 also has a role in transmitting outgoing messages.
  • communication interface module 314 packages a message to be transmitted, and passes the packaged messages to communications circuitry 212 for transmission.
  • communications circuitry 212 includes a plurality of radio circuits, such as AMI system communications circuitry 212a, and auxiliary local area communication circuitry 212b.
  • AMI system communications circuitry 212a can be regarded as the standard radio communications circuitry of 2-way devices in an AMI mesh network. This circuitry can send and receive messages in the operational RF band, and perform all of the relevant functionality, including such functions as error detection/correction, encryption/decryption, frequency hopping operability, etc.
  • the auxiliary local area communications circuitry 212b is dedicated to proxy-related functionality, such as monitoring the RF band for extended periods to detect communications from 1-way devices, receiving communications from the 1-way endpoint, and, for 1.5-way devices, transmitting wakeup tones. Having the auxiliary communications circuitry can free up the main AMI system communications circuitry 212 to handle the usual communications workload of the 2-way endpoint.
  • one role of communication interface module 314 is to pass messages/wakeup tones to be transmitted to the appropriate radio circuitry.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating some of the functional modules of local endpoint module 302 according to one example embodiment.
  • Database control module 320 writes newly- collected data to local endpoint data set 304, removes data therefrom, and queries local endpoint data set 304 to gather the necessary data for generating reports to the AMR system head end.
  • Reporting module 322 constructs reports, including simple packets with one or a few readings, or more complex packets with interval data, configuration information, sensor status, etc.
  • Command processing module 324 receives instructions and configuration information from other system devices such as gateway devices or the system head end, and executes those commands or updates.
  • command processing module 324 causes database control module 320 or reporting module 322, or both, to take the necessary actions so that the instruction can be carried out.
  • command processing module 324 coordinates operation of database control module 320 or reporting module 322 to retrieve the most recently-received data corresponding to the 1-way endpoint for which the on-demand read is requesting data, and packages that data into a report to be delivered to the requestor, e.g., head end system.
  • the command processing module 324 instead of sending the most recent previously- received and stored item of sensor data for the 1-way endpoint, coordinates operation of database control module 320 or reporting module 322 to generate the report in response to the next available item of sensor data to be received from the 1-way endpoint.
  • This latter option will provide a report with a greater latency due to the time required to wait for, and receive the next sensor data item, but will contain the most up-to-date data possible in terms of the time duration between the data collection and reporting of that data.
  • Operational parameters module 328 stores the various settings that define the configurable operational characteristics of local endpoint module 302. For example, reporting formats for various types of messages, data storage practices, e.g., data structure formats, retention schedules, etc., interval data definitions, data aggregation formulas, and the like.
  • the operational parameters can be configured remotely via the communication interface module 314 and command processing module 324.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating some of the functional modules of an instance of remote endpoint virtualization module 306 according to an example embodiment.
  • the modules of remote endpoint virtualization module 306 are very similar to those of local endpoint module 302, though there are some differences.
  • virtual endpoint ID 307 is uniquely associated with a particular 1-way endpoint that is being virtualized as a two- way endpoint.
  • Database control module 330 is similar in functionality to module 320, except that, in one embodiment, module 330 implements a duplicative data reconciliation algorithm that removes redundant data.
  • Operational parameters module 338 operates essentially like operational parameters module 328 in that it stores settings that define the configurable operational characteristics of remote endpoint virtualization module 306.
  • the operational parameters of remote endpoint virtualization module 306 can differ somewhat from those of local endpoint module 302. For instance, the available ranges for certain operational settings might be relatively more limited, such as the case where more frequent sampling of the sensor than what is available from the 1 - way endpoint may not be possible. In a related embodiment, however, data is interpolated or extrapolated from the actual data points in order to emulate an actual 2-way endpoint.
  • FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of decision logic for handling incoming messages received at a 2-way endpoint that is configured to also perform proxy operations for one or more supported 1-way endpoints.
  • This exemplary decision logic can be implemented in communication interface module 314 according to one embodiment.
  • an incoming message is received.
  • the incoming message is generally in the form of a packet (or group of packets), with the frame including a header portion that indicates a destination address.
  • communication interface module 314 reads the destination indicated in the packet.
  • the destination in this example can be one of three types: remote endpoint, local endpoint, and upstream, i.e., towards the central data collection point such as the system head end.
  • communication interface module 314 first passes the message to remote endpoint interface module 310, which looks up the destination endpoint in listing 312. If the endpoint is not listed (and, since it has already been determined that the message is not addressed to the local 2-way endpoint) the message is deduced to be for a remote, non-hosted endpoint (which can be a 2-way device or virtual 2-way device). In this case, the message is routed towards its destination at 608, which can be one or multiple hops downstream.
  • the message is extracted from the packet and passed to the appropriate remote endpoint virtualization module 306. This happens internally to the 2-way endpoint (i.e., Messages addressed to the local endpoint are parsed to have the message contents extracted, then forwarded to the local endpoint module 302. Messages addressed to the head end, gateway device, or otherwise upstream, are simply routed appropriately to their next hop.
  • FIGs. 7 A and 7B are flow diagrams illustrating some of the operations performed by remote endpoint interface module 310 according to example embodiments.
  • FIG. 7A represents a process of handling communications received from 1-way endpoints.
  • the communication band is monitored for transmissions, including those from 1-way endpoints.
  • 1-way transmissions are detected and received as part of the 2-way endpoint devices' general monitoring of the communication channel for transmissions from any type of device.
  • the potential 2-way proxy devices periodically monitor the 1-way communications band.
  • This periodic monitoring could be performed concurrently with, or in interspersed fashion, with the general monitoring of the 2-way network communications.
  • This monitoring can be performed by the AMR system communications circuit 212a, or by an auxiliary local area communications circuit 212b, if available.
  • Monitoring involves listening for the presence of transmissions having supported formats. This monitoring operation can be distinct from the usual operation of 2-way endpoints in mesh networks that constantly monitor the communications band for transmissions to be routed. In this approach, a number of different formats can be supported for various 1-way endpoints from various manufacturers, in addition to supporting the usual mesh network communications format. Even certain transmissions from 1.5 -way endpoints can be listened to in this manner (such as the case where a 1.5 -way endpoint transmits an alarm - which may occur without being prompted by a wakeup tone).
  • a received communication is from a 1 -way endpoint.
  • the received message is parsed to determine its source, and a determination is made if the transmitting endpoint is one of the supported 1-way endpoints to which the proxy support is assigned. If it is a non-supported endpoint, the transmission is nonetheless logged so that the system can be aware of the existence of the link, along with updating a quality measure of the link.
  • Listing 312 can be used as a database in which to store the logged link quality information.
  • the quality measure can include such measures as number of messages received (error-free) within some set period of time, such as per hour, per day, etc, which may reflect the receiver's average busy status and hence potential preference as a proxy.
  • link quality indicators can be used as well, such as signal strength, and the like, although such measures by themselves are not always the best indicator of link reliability.
  • FIG. 7B is an example process carried out by 2-way endpoints that have been assigned to act as proxies, or those which are potential proxy devices, for participating in proxy assignment arbitration.
  • the arbiter is a local master device such as a gateway device which is a collection point for information from many 2- way devices and, as such, has higher-level visibility of the local network segment and the 1 -way devices therein.
  • the information upon which the decision is made is provided from a distributed set of 2-way endpoints that are actual, or potential, proxy devices.
  • each of these 2-way endpoints periodically (or in response to prompting from the arbiter device) sends its link quality statistics to the arbiter at 720.
  • the link quality statistics can be a portion of listing 312, or can be a set of data compiled based on information stored in listing 312, for example.
  • the proxy assignment arbiter having collected link quality information (along with other relevant information such as resource burden, communication latency, and the like, which can be used for scoring each potential proxy device) applies its decision logic to select one (or more) 2- way endpoints to act as proxies supporting each 1-way endpoint.
  • Each 2-way proxy device can be assigned more than one 1-way endpoint to support. Accordingly, at 722, the 2-way endpoint receives updated proxy assignments (this information can simply be a re-affirmation of the existing assignments, as will be the case most often).
  • the 2-way endpoint updates its configuration, as needed.
  • a determination is made based on the updated assignment instructions whether any 1-way endpoints are to be de-listed (i.e., no longer supported).
  • FIG. 8 is a timing diagram illustrating an exemplary process of intermittently monitoring the communications band to discover 1-way endpoints according to one embodiment, which can be performed by prospective proxy devices.
  • the principle of this approach is to ensure that the full communication cycle of known types of 1-way endpoints is covered.
  • a supported type of 1-way endpoint is known to be configured with a communication cycle having a period t p . In this period, most of the time the 1-way endpoint is in its standby mode and silent; however, for a brief time duration, the endpoint wakes up from its standby mode and transmits its data.
  • the proxy device moves to a second frequency and repeats the monitoring process again for a duration long enough for 1-way devices to hop across all assigned frequencies.
  • the proxy can then target the particular 1 -way endpoints based on their particular hopping patterns without the need for the more extensive full frequency scans.
  • the proxy device will however still maintain a cycle of performing the full frequency searching scans to be able to detect the presence of newly introduced 1 -way endpoints .
  • This process can be adjusted if there are various other 1-way endpoints that are known to have different communication cycle periods. For example one type of 1-way endpoint might bubble up every 10 seconds; whereas another type might be configured to bubble up every 30 seconds. Accordingly, over, time, the entire communication band can be monitored. Once 1- way endpoints are discovered, the monitoring process can be adjusted specifically to focus on each known 1-way endpoint according to its known communication behavior so that the receiver can be activated during a time window in which a next periodic transmission from that endpoint is expected. This latter operating mode can be utilized preferentially over the scanning mode since the addition of new 1-way endpoints in an established neighborhood is relatively infrequent, whereas receiving existing, known, 1-way endpoint signals is a priority.
  • An endpoint proxy device for use with a two-way automatic sensor data collection system, the endpoint having endpoint hardware circuitry, including a processor circuit, a data store operatively coupled to the processor circuit, communications circuitry operatively coupled to the processor circuit and configured to transmit and receive data communications in a wireless network, the endpoint proxy device comprising:
  • Inventive Concept 6 The endpoint proxy device according to any preceding Inventive Concept, wherein the sensor data collection system is an automatic meter reading (AMR) system and wherein the at least one sensor is a utility meter.
  • AMR automatic meter reading
  • endpoint proxy device is configured to receive commands from the automatic sensor data collection system via the 2-way communication protocol
  • the remote endpoint virtualization module is configured such that, in response to the endpoint proxy device receiving a first command addressed to a first virtual endpoint ID, the remote endpoint virtualization module executes the first command on behalf of a 1-way endpoint associated with the first virtual endpoint ID.
  • Inventive Concept 10 The endpoint proxy device according to any one of Inventive Concepts 8-
  • the first command addressed to the first virtual endpoint ID includes an instruction to update configuration settings
  • remote endpoint virtualization module is adapted such that, in response to the first command, the remote endpoint virtualization module generates a report based on
  • the remote endpoint interface module is adapted to receive 1 -way endpoint assignments determined by the remote proxy arbiter device, the 1-way endpoint assignments indicating 1 -way endpoints for which sensor data is to be stored by the remote endpoint virtualization module.
  • Inventive Concept 17 The endpoint proxy device according to any preceding Inventive Concept, wherein the remote endpoint virtualization module is adapted to reconcile duplicative data from any one of the at least one 1-way endpoint.
  • proxy assignments to selected proxy-assignee endpoints of the plurality of 2-way endpoints, wherein for each of the reported 1-way endpoints at least one proxy-assignee endpoint is assigned to perform a proxy service;
  • Inventive Concept 22 The method according to any one of Inventive Concepts 18-21, wherein the receiving and storing the data transmitted by corresponding 1-way endpoints includes associating each of the corresponding 1-way endpoints with a virtual 2-way endpoint ID, and wherein the transmitting of at least the portion of the data transmitted by the corresponding 1- way endpoints is performed in response to commands from the central data collection point addressed specifically to certain virtual 2-way endpoint IDs.
  • Inventive Concept 25 The method according to any one of Inventive Concepts 18-24, wherein performing the proxy service further comprises:
  • Inventive Concept 26 The method according to any one of Inventive Concepts 18-25, wherein performing the proxy service further comprises:
  • Inventive Concept 27 The method of Inventive Concept 26, further comprising:
  • Inventive Concept 30 The method of Inventive Concept 29, further comprising
  • a remote endpoint interface module configured to receive communications from at least one of the incompatible endpoints, the communications containing incompatible endpoint sensor data
  • a remote endpoint virtualization module operatively coupled to the remote endpoint interface module and associated with the at least one of the incompatible endpoints, wherein the remote endpoint virtualization module is uniquely addressable according to a corresponding virtual endpoint address, and configured to store the incompatible endpoint sensor data and to communicate that data to the central data collection point via the data communication protocol.

Abstract

La présente invention se rapporte à un système de collecte de données de capteur qui comprend une pluralité de capteurs couplés de manière fonctionnelle à un ensemble correspondant de points d'extrémité, les points d'extrémité étant configurés pour communiquer des données de capteur à un point de collecte de données central par l'intermédiaire d'un protocole de communication de données. Un point d'extrémité supportant un service de mandataire facilite l'interopérabilité avec le système de collecte de données afin d'en faire bénéficier les points d'extrémité qui, sinon, sont incompatibles avec le protocole de communication de données. Le point d'extrémité comprend un module d'interface de point d'extrémité distant configuré pour recevoir des communications d'au moins l'un des points d'extrémité incompatibles qui contiennent des données de capteur de point d'extrémité incompatible. Un module de virtualisation de point d'extrémité distant est couplé de manière fonctionnelle au module d'interface de point d'extrémité distant et est associé à au moins l'un des points d'extrémité incompatibles. Le module de virtualisation de point d'extrémité distant est uniquement adressable selon une adresse de point d'extrémité correspondante et est configuré pour stocker les données de capteur de point d'extrémité incompatible et pour communiquer ces données au point de collecte de données central par l'intermédiaire du protocole de communication de données.
PCT/US2013/062819 2012-10-01 2013-10-01 Système et procédé permettant un support de points d'extrémité unidirectionnels dans des réseaux sans fil bidirectionnels WO2014055486A1 (fr)

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US10222232B2 (en) 2019-03-05
US20140097966A1 (en) 2014-04-10
US20170363443A1 (en) 2017-12-21

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